Improved horseshoe



NITED STATES JOHN HENDERSON, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK.

` IMPRovED HoRsEsHoE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. MLS l5, dated May 20, 1856.

vl, three-eights of an inch wide, which is adapted to the horny rim or outer portion of the hoof, the inner part of the shoe being made with the usual bevel or concave form, while there is a deflection of about three-sixteenths of an inch from A to B at the heel of the shoe. 'Ihe object of this construction is to provide a bea-ring-surface of sufficient extent and the proper form to give a firm and adequate support to the weight of the animal, and at the same time relieve the sensitive parts of the fo ot, particularly the frog and heel, from the irritation .caused by the friction and contraction of the shoe upon the heel. In the old form of shoe, with its equal surface only modified by being what is technically termed dishing,77 the tendency is to contract the heel and frog until a malformation is produced, as shown in Fig. 2, a, by which the heel assumes a very rapid slope down to theplane of the shoe, subjecting that portion of the foot to constant irritation and lameness from the insecure contact ,and tendency of the shoe to spring or crowd upon the heel, particularly in downhill traveling. This I have obviated by bringing the bearing portion ofthe shoe directly upon the bars 7 (as they are termed) at the heel, as shown by the dotted lines, Fig. l, and causing the lines of support to converge or follow their direction toward the center ofthe foot as far as the width of the shoe will permit, While the deflection from A to B relieves the tender parts from a pressure so injurious, and admits of the free expansion of the hoof from the Weight of the animal instead of being contracted, as with the dishingshoe. The pointatwhichthebearingline crosses the direction of the shoe varies in different animals, but is easily adapted by the smith in fitting it. The position on the hoof vis shown in the elevation of a horsesfoot, Fig.

3, where the natural form of the heel is given with the position of the deflected heel in contrast with the ordinary shoe and its position and the effect of its deleterious pressure upon the heel.

The flange upon the under side of the shoe is merely a provision for strength, and forms no part of my invention, which can be used with or without it, the peculiar devices being confined to the upper surface of the shoe solely.

I claimn Arranging aspecial bearing-surface adapted to the rim of the hoof and terminating in lines converging from the outer to the inner edge of the shoe upon the bars c c, with a gradual deflection of the heel beginning at the converging lines A A and extending to the rear parts of the shoe at B B, as herein fully set forth.

JOHN HENDERSON. 

